Assessment of utilization of child health services (under RCH program) and incorrect practices related to perinatal events in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, India

Background: India contributes to 25% of the over 6.9 million under-five deaths occurring worldwide every year with nearly half of them in neonatal period .This study is related indirectly with the causes of U5MR (e.g. Neonatal sepsis, prematurity-LBW) through focusing on service utilization related to perinatal events & incorrect practices of essential Newborn care (e.g. initiation of breast feeding and exclusive breastfeeding). Objectives: (1) Assess utilization of child health services related to perinatal events (2) Assess incorrect practices related to perinatal events (3) Assess effect of demographic variables on service utilization and association of these variables with practices.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 400 children (12 to 59 months) was done using multistage sampling technique in Jamnagar district. 120 children were selected from urban and 280 from rural areas as urban: rural ratio is 3:7 in India.Results: 93.55% children having umbilical infection. Birth weights were taken in majority of children (95.75%), 15.83% of those weighed were having low birth weight (LBW). Application on umbilical cord after birth was seen in 10.25% & prelacteal feed in about 1/3rd children. Breastfeeding immediately or within 4 hours after birth was seen in 3/4th, exclusive breastfeeding in 2/3rd children.Conclusions: Children having umbilical infection were treated indicating better utilization of curative services. Taking of birth weights in majority of children indicating good functioning of healthcare professionals but some of those weighed were having low birth weight (LBW) indicating underutilization of preventive-antenatal services indirectly affecting child health. Incorrect practices like application on umbilical cord after birth and prelacteal feed were seen in children. Recommended practices like breastfeeding immediately or within 4 hours after birth, exclusive breastfeeding were seen in children. Colostrum giving was more prevalent and low birth weight was less prevalent in rural areas compared to urban areas which indicated better health care utilization in rural areas.

Assessment of the Morbidity Pattern of Persons Living At Old Age Homes of Ahmedabad City

Introduction: Although old age is not a disease in itself; the elder- ly are vulnerable to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular illness, cancers, diabetes, musculoskeletal and mental illnesses leading to impairments and disabilities ultimately affecting the health related quality of life of the elderly and will rise burden on the health sys- tems of country. Main objectives of the research are to study the socio-demographic profile of as well as the physical and mental health problems amongst persons living at selected old age homes of Ahmedabad city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among total 143 participants living at randomly selected (half of all 12) old age homes of Ahmedabad city. They were asked and assessed accord- ing to proforma for collection of information. Results: 46.2% participants had pallor.69.9% had osteoarthritis. 39.9% had difficulty in vision.29.4% were suffering from at least one respiratory problems.60.1% had hypertension. 20.3% were suf- fering from diabetes.49.7% were suffering from at least one GIT problem.25.2% had depression. Conclusion: Osteoarthritis was seen in 7 out of every 10 elderly & was higher in females compared to males. Other major problems were difficulty in hearing & vision, hypertension, constipation, acidity, diabetes in descending order